A LATE LOUIS XV ORMOLU-MOUNTED BOIS SATINE, AMARANTH, TULIPWOOD AND BOIS-DE-BOUT MARQUETRY SECRETAIRE A ABATTANT

STAMPED TWICE 'N. PETIT' AND 'JME', CIRCA 1770, PROBABLY ORIGINALLY CONCEIVED WITHOUT BOIS-DE-BOUT MARQUETRY

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A LATE LOUIS XV ORMOLU-MOUNTED BOIS SATINE, AMARANTH, TULIPWOOD AND BOIS-DE-BOUT MARQUETRY SECRETAIRE A ABATTANT
STAMPED TWICE 'N. PETIT' AND 'JME', CIRCA 1770, PROBABLY ORIGINALLY CONCEIVED WITHOUT BOIS-DE-BOUT MARQUETRY
The molded shaped later Campan marble top above a framed fall-front with foliate spray enclosing a red leather-lined writing-surface and a fitted fruitwood interior with pigeon-holes and six small drawers, one fitted with silvered writing wells, above two conforming doors enclosing two long oak drawers, above a shaped apron, the rounded sides headed by a lion mask mount and on short cabriole legs terminating in a foliate foot, stamped to top, the marble with restored break, mounts regilt, the interior possibly replaced, replacements to veneers around ormolu border of fall-front
55 in. (140 cm.) high, 40 in. (102 cm.) wide, 16 in. (40 cm.) deep

Lot Essay

Nicolas Petit, maître in 1761.

Nicholas Petit (1732 - 1791) was a prolific marchand-ébéniste established in the faubourg Saint-Antoine in a building named Nom de Jésus. Upon his death his stock counted no less than 703 pieces of furniture ranging in value from 5 livres for a small chiffonière to 900 livres for a secrétaire à cylindre, illustrating the range he was able to offer to his clients. In his stock were 50 secrétaires à abattant, then known as 'secrétaires en armoire', most of which were, however much more narrow than the present lot.

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